The 12 families, who have occupied the land for nearly 40 years, have been told by the developer to leave by May 2.

In their memorandum, the settlers said they want the “forced eviction” to be halted until negotiations with the developer reach an amicable solution. They also wanted Amirudin to mediate in the dispute.

They urged Amirudin to put a stop to any “encroachment” in the area and speed up the “land ownership process” for them.

They asked the authorities to clarify how the land could be granted to a developer considering the Hulu Selangor land office previously rejected the settlers’ application for the land.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairman S Arulchelvan, who represented the group, said the Hulu Selangor land office previously rejected the settlers’ application for the land on grounds that it is located in a reserve area of the Sungai Serendah which is at risk of flooding.

“But now, the land office said the land is owned by a private company. This doesn’t make sense, and I think the menteri besar has to investigate this,” he told reporters.

The memorandum was received by Nor Baini Zainuddin, an assistant secretary at the state secretariat office’s corporate division.

“I will deliver the message to the menteri besar’s office,” she said.

One of the residents, Maszahar Hashim, 59, questioned how the developer could obtain the land if it was gazetted as reserve land.

“We are hoping to get a stay order. That’s why we are here to give this memo to the menteri besar,” she said.

Last month, the residents staged a peaceful protest outside the Hulu Selangor land office.

FMT has reached out to the menteri besar’s office for comment.